The first WHB Győr Rally, which was held on the grounds of the Széchenyi István University, was a great success. Thousands of visitors viewed the high-speed stage, which took place primarily on the Győr campus, the most important and spectacular part of the rally race where other special programmes were part of the venue. The winning race team pair became the Hungarian champions, but were additionally awarded a special prize by the university for winning that particular stage of the race that travelled through its campus.
With the multilateral cooperation of the Arrabona Rally Club, TRP Hungary, and Mitko Hungary – established by the sport lovers of Győr association, an old dream came true for citizens of Győr between the 8th and 10th of September, when Hungarian rallying returned to the city. In more ways than one, as the competitors were greeted by special venues and thousands of enthusiastic fans, the most memorable part of the WHB Győr Rally was undoubtedly the downtown speed stage, which took place partially on the campus of the Széchenyi István University.
The university offered visitors several exciting family activities. Young and old alike were able to meet student teams, including the multiple world record-holding electric car developer SZEnergy Team, taking part in the global Shell eco-Marathon university team tournament and the European top-ranked Arrabona Racing Team, which competes in Formula Student, also a global competition series.
Various family friendly side venues of the rally included the e-sport department of the Széchenyi István University providing simulator training, the go-karting department offered go-karting, and the local endurance motorcycle world championship legend Bálint Kovács, a student at the university and member of the Hungarian Motorsport Academy, displaying his speed bike.
Dr. Ferenc Szauter, Director of the Institute’s Automotive Research Centre, said at the pre-event press conference that the event is also a great opportunity for the Széchenyi István University to showcase its innovative developments. In addition to entertainment, the university’s Automotive Research Centre and Digital Development Centre also provided career guidance for young people interested in cutting-edge technologies. For example, Quatic Technologies Ltd., a spin-off company of the university, was present and exhibited its products related to the drivability, measurement, and analysis of electric motors.
On the campus of the Széchenyi István University, thousands of spectators viewed the downtown speed stage of the rally, which returned to Győr and was won by the duo of Ferenc Vincze and Nándor Percze. The prize for the winners of the race was presented by Prof. Dr. József Bokor, Vice President of the University for Research and Innovation and Dr. Ferenc Szauter. The winning pair of the WHB Győr Rally also went on to win the Hungarian championship title.
